IS PAT TOOMEY ALREADY BACKTRACKING ON HIS LATEST GUN CONTROL STANCE?

Wednesday on the Dom Giordano, when Pat Toomey was pressed by Giordano on his latest position on “red flag” measures that would allow law enforcement to confiscate firearms from dangerous people, Pat Toomey backtracked on his support the law. Toomey said,

LISTEN: “The details matter. I haven’t seen a draft of the actual legislation, Dom. I think Lindsey Graham intends to pursue this. So what exactly the criteria would be, how the judge would make the decisions, and what the ability of the person accused to challenge that, that’s all very important stuff that I’ll be looking at really closely.”

“Is Pat Toomey already flip-flopping on his newfound support for ‘red flag’ legislation that would allow law enforcement to confiscate firearms from dangerous people?” asked Beth Melena, senior communications advisor for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “It wouldn’t be surprising considering Toomey refuses to support a ban on assault rifles and voted against an NRA-backed amendment that would impose penalties for people with no criminal records to purchase guns for criminals. Pat Toomey is simply refusing to support common-sense laws that would reduce gun violence in Pennsylvania.”

BACKGROUND

“I also agree with Senator Lindsey Graham that we should pass a bipartisan “red flag” measure that enables families and law enforcement to obtain a court order to keep guns away from dangerous individuals.” [Pat Toomey Statement, 8/6/19]

“The details matter. I haven’t seen a draft of the actual legislation, Dom. I think Lindsey Graham intends to pursue this. So what exactly the criteria would be, how the judge would make the decisions, and what the ability of the person accused has to challenge that, that’s all very important stuff that I’ll be looking at closely.” [Dom Giordano, 8/7/19]

“This legislation worked out by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) targets only gun trafficking. It makes gun trafficking a federal crime and strengthens the penalties against “straw purchasers” (people who buy guns for others who are not legally able to do so). The NRA is on board with this amendment as well, thanks to a compromise ensuring that guns can be bought as gifts or prizes. It failed with 58 votes in favor and 42 against, a bit of a surprise given the bipartisan and NRA support. Collins, Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Kirk were the only Republicans in support. No Democrats voted against it.” [The Washington Post, 4/17/13]